But it was too late: Winfrey, seized with the feverish need to give away something for free, beckoned a young woman named Britney from the audience and shrieked “You, you get a car! You get a car!” as confetti rained down from the ceiling.

And just like that, the lucky winner was escorted by Kimmel’s sidekick, Guillermo, outside to Hollywood Boulevard, where a shiny new Ford Fusion Energi Hybrid awaited her.

“Every once in a while, Jimmy, it just happens, especially when I skip lunch,” explained Winfrey, who later tweeted, “THAT was fun. I don’t know what came over me.”

Of course, it was all a play on one of the most indelible moments in the history of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” – namely, its season premiere in 2004, when Winfrey gave away a free car to every member of her studio audience and instantly turned “You get a car!” into a national catchphrase.

Winfrey will pay a visit to “The View” Friday. Maybe she’ll outdo herself by giving away a trip to Australia?